Indian professional dies in skydiving plane crash in US

AN INDIAN technology professional was among the 12 people killed after a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in Missouri, United States, authorities said.

Sai Karthik Varma Datla, 24, was identified by the Bates County Coroner’s Office as the only Indian national among those killed in the crash near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, around 80 miles south of Kansas City. The crash occurred last Sunday (14) and claimed the lives of all 11 skydivers on board and the pilot.

Datla had a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Central Missouri and was working as a technology professional in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He worked in the healthcare technology sector and was employed with AdventHealth. He had previously worked at Capgemini and had worked on cloud migration, automation and software deployment projects after moving to the United States for higher studies.

The aircraft, a 2010 Pacific Aerospace P750XL operated by Skydive Kansas City, departed Butler Memorial Airport shortly before 11:30 am local time.

Federal investigators said the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after takeoff, turned around for an unknown reason and crashed into a field on the airport property. Officials said the plane turned left before crashing about 300 yards from the runway. Witnesses said the aircraft was about 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground when it made an abrupt left turn before crashing. All 12 people on board were killed.

The United States Parachute Association said its technology director, Jen Sharp, was also among those killed in the crash.

Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager of Butler Memorial Airport, said the aircraft appeared to be losing power and that the pilot may have been trying to reach a highway to land when the plane stalled and went down nose-first.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

On Monday, National Transportation Safety Board vice-chairman Michael Graham said investigators were interviewing witnesses and collecting photographs and videos of the crash and that it was too early to determine what caused the accident.

The aircraft did not have a “black box” like those used on commercial airplanes to record flight data. Graham said investigators would look for other devices that could provide information about the crash.

Investigators are also examining the aircraft, maintenance records, weather conditions and the pilot’s background as part of the investigation. Officials have not identified a probable cause, and a final report is not expected for several months.

The Pacific Aerospace P750XL is a single-engine turboprop aircraft widely used in skydiving operations because it is designed to carry parachutists to jumping altitude while operating from short runways.

Skydive Kansas City said it is cooperating fully with investigators and expressed condolences to the families of those who died. State and federal officials have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains ongoing. Friends, relatives and members of the skydiving community have also shared tributes to those who lost their lives, including experienced skydivers, tandem jumpers and the pilot.